Local campaign violations announced

Friday

Feb 21, 2014 at 7:19 PM

By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The state Office of Campaign and Political Finance has found two local candidates in violation of election laws.In its most recent newsletter, the office announced findings against Gardner Mayor Mark P. Hawke and Justin A. Brooks of Leominster, a candidate for state representative in the November 2012 election.Mr. Hawke agreed to pay the state $250 after it was found his campaign committee failed to comply with state election law by allowing Jeffrey Gallant to serve as treasurer while a member of the city Golf Commission.In a letter to Mr. Hawke from Jeffrey Sullivan, director of the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance outlined the complaint made against Mr. Hawke's campaign committee. He said Mr. Gallant was appointed to the campaign committee in 2007 and became a member of the Golf Commission in 2008. He continued to serve both roles until Mr. Hawke was notified of the violation.As a golf commissioner. Mr. Gallant receives a free membership to the municipal golf course valued at $770. Because he received the membership, even though it was not a salary, he was in violation because he also served as the campaign treasurer.Mr. Sullivan said in his letter that he was told by Mr. Hawke that Mr. Gallant's responsibilities as treasurer were minimal. He was a signatory on the committee's bank account but did not make deposits into the account.Mr. Hawke also said Mr. Gallant never solicited money for the campaign committee, and the mayor said he, not Mr. Gallant, provided all documentation for Mr. Gallant to do data entry in preparation for filling out campaign finance reports.Mr. Sullivan said the Office of Campaign and Political Finance does not disclose when a complaint was made, but Mr. Gallant resigned after Mr. Hawke was notified of the complaint, and the case was settled in December after the payment of $250.Mr. Brooks, a Republican who lost to state Rep. Dennis Rosa, D-Leominster in the 2012 election to represent the 4th Worcester District, was found to have failed to complete accurate campaign finance reports by failing to list $800 in in-kind contributions from family members and did not disclose the purpose of some of his campaign expenditures.To address the issue, Mr. Brooks' campaign committee amended its reports to more accurately reflect the campaign finances. No further action was taken against Mr. Brooks or his campaign by the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.Contact George Barnes at george.barnes@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgebarnesTG.